Crowd-Financed Agri-PV Plant in Saxony Completed by Next2Sun

Next2Sun has officially commenced construction on a groundbreaking agri-photovoltaic project in Neißeaue, located in Saxony's Görlitz district near the Polish border. The new facility, named the "Krauscha" agri-solar park, will feature a 1.8 megawatt capacity, complemented by a 500-kilowatt storage system.

The ceremonial groundbreaking was attended by notable figures including Saxony's Energy Minister Wolfram Günther, Per Wiesner (Mayor of Neißeaue), and other local dignitaries. The Krauscha project is distinguished as the first privately owned large-scale vertical agri-photovoltaic plant in East Germany.

The innovative design of the plant utilizes bifacial solar modules arranged vertically in rows, with a 10.5-meter gap between rows to allow for ongoing agricultural activities. This setup ensures that 90 percent of the land remains available for farming, specifically organic seed propagation, while less than one percent of the area will be covered by solar modules.

Next2Sun anticipates that the plant will produce around 2,000 megawatt hours of solar energy annually. The project benefits from a contract secured through an innovation tender held in April 2022, which covers 1.5 megawatts of the total capacity and includes a fixed market premium. Additionally, the project will feature a 500-kilowatt battery storage system.

To support the project's financing, Next2Sun plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign shortly. The campaign will offer regional bonuses for local residents, along with early bird incentives, although specific terms and details will be announced soon.